1. Generation, Translocation, and Action of Nitric Oxide in Living Systems 
Andrew G. Tennyson, Stephen J. Lippard 
Chemistry & Biology 
Volume 18, Issue 10, Pages (October 2011)
DOI: /j.chembiol
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2. Figure 1 Stages of NO in Biology
Generation of NO from L-arginine is performed by NOS (stage 1). Translocation of NO itself or its derivatives, such as other nitrogen oxides (NOx), organonitrosyls (E-NO), or metal-nitrosyl complexes (M-NO), involves transport of NO from where it is generated to where it is required (stage 2). Actions of NO in biology are mediated by its reactivity with biomolecules containing redox-active metals, redox-active ligands, or other metal-free species (stage 3).
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3. Figure 2 Domain Structure and Components of NOS
The oxygenase domain (red) contains a heme active site and tetrahydrobiopterin cofactor, as well as cysteine residues that bind zinc (green) to form the active dimer. The reductase domain (blue) contains flavin mononucleotide, flavin adenine dinucleotide, and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide cofactors that supply the oxygenase domain with electrons. Calmodulin (purple) is also involved in activating NOS, but the sensitivity of enzyme function to calcium concentrations varies among the different isoforms.
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4. Figure 3 Oxygenase Domain of a Canonical NOS
Heme units (red), NHA (purple), tetrahydrobiopterin (blue), and cysteine residues (orange) that bind zinc(II) to afford the active dimer (PDB ID: 3HSO). Molecular models were rendered with PyMOL (
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5. Figure 4 Working Hypothesis for the Generation of NO by NOS
L-arginine is oxidized to N-hydroxy-arginine, accompanied by the consumption of two protons and one electron. This intermediate is then converted to L-citrulline, with concomitant generation of NO, in a process that requires two additional electrons and one proton.
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6. Figure 5 Model Complexes that Exhibit NOS-Type Reactivity
Generation of NO has been achieved from (A) arginine using a ruthenium-EDTA complex and H2O2, (B) NHA using a fluorinated iron-porphyrin complex and H2O2, and (C) fluorenone oxime using an iron-tetra(mesityl)porphyrin complex and O2.
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7. Figure 6
Redox Relationship between NOx Species as a Function of Nitrogen Oxidation State
Numbers on the slopes correspond to the potentials (ΔE0′) required to effect that change in oxidation state. Adapted from Koppenol et al. (1992).
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